Diversity of Endocervical Microbiota Associated with Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Infertility among Women Visiting Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics in Malaysia

The cervical microbiota constitutes an important protective barrier against the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. A disruption of microbiota within the cervical milieu has been suggested to be a driving factor of sexually transmitted infections. These include Chlamydia trachomatis which frequently causes serious reproductive sequelae such as infertility in women. In this study, the cervical microbial composition of a population of reproductive-age Malaysian women were profiled. This investigation contributed additional insights into the cross talk between endocervical microbiome and Chlamydia trachomatis infection.